My Blog: 366 Games To Play Before You Die

[Reprise]

Today's game is another unusual Sega Saturn gem. It's an isometric action RPG called Dark Savior.

#14 Dark Savior - https://366gamestoplay.wordpress.com/20 ... rk-savior/

I didn't know much about this game. Didn't realize it was even part of the 'Stalker' series of games. Sounds like kind of a mixed bag though, eh? I can't say I'm gonna run out and add to the top of my "to get" list.

Yeah, it's a mixed bag and I nearly didn't feature it, but it's still a game I have fond memories of, despite its flaws. It's worth playing just for the story and unique 'parallel' system. I mean, it came out in 1996! I wonder why Telltale and Quantic Dream couldn't come up with a similar system, on a larger scale, for their 'interactive movie' style games, where a seemingly simple choice could lead a player down a genuinely entirely different path. It's definitely something I haven't seen explored in video games since Dark Savior.

[Reprise]

Today's game is the unique shooter Rez, from Sega, for the Dreamcast and PS2.

#15 Rez - https://366gamestoplay.wordpress.com/2016/01/15/15-rez/

[noiseredux]

Today's game is the unique shooter Rez, from Sega, for the Dreamcast and PS2.

#15 Rez - https://366gamestoplay.wordpress.com/2016/01/15/15-rez/

nice write-up. I played Rez once (on PS2) years ago and it didn't quite click with me. But I've always felt like it's a game I *would* like if I spent more time with it.

[Reprise]

Today's feature is on the original, Playstation classic, Metal Gear Solid.

#16 Metal Gear Solid - https://366gamestoplay.wordpress.com/20 ... ear-solid/

[Reprise]

Today's game is the very original, Genesis/Mega Drive, Sonic the Hedgehog game. What I believe is the first video game I ever played (maybe).

#17 Sonic the Hedgehog - https://366gamestoplay.wordpress.com/20 ... -hedgehog/

[noiseredux]

Sonic (1) isn't my favorite in the series, but I really do love it. It's got fantastic level design that rewards you for taking it slow oddly enough. Great, great game.

[Gunstar Green]

Sonic (1) isn't my favorite in the series, but I really do love it. It's got fantastic level design that rewards you for taking it slow oddly enough. Great, great game.

They spent much of the development time on Green Hill Zone and it shows as that's really one of the few bits in the game that rewards you for speeding along. Several interviews with Yuji Naka indicate that they weren't sure gamers would embrace it fully though, which is why the next level is the slow, traditionally platformy and familiar Marble Zone. That sudden grinding to a halt was really jarring though.

When they went into Sonic 2 they had a better idea of what the gameplay should be and how to make the level design play to its strengths.

I always love those interesting cases where an amazing instant classic comes out then gets a sequel that polishes the concept to a crystal shine.

[noiseredux]

right, right. I put Sonic CD and Sonic 2 above the original - but I still find the original fascinating, fun and rewarding.

[Reprise]

Sonic (1) isn't my favorite in the series, but I really do love it. It's got fantastic level design that rewards you for taking it slow oddly enough. Great, great game.

They spent much of the development time on Green Hill Zone and it shows as that's really one of the few bits in the game that rewards you for speeding along. Several interviews with Yuji Naka indicate that they weren't sure gamers would embrace it fully though, which is why the next level is the slow, traditionally platformy and familiar Marble Zone. That sudden grinding to a halt was really jarring though.

When they went into Sonic 2 they had a better idea of what the gameplay should be and how to make the level design play to its strengths.

I always love those interesting cases where an amazing instant classic comes out then gets a sequel that polishes the concept to a crystal shine.

That's really nicely put. That's exactly how I feel, with Sonic 1 basically being them exploring more traditional platforming (Marble Zone) and their idea for a faster style platformer (Green Hill Zone). You're right that the shift in style between Green Hill and Marble is really jarring.

They definitely worked out what works best and refined the gameplay with the second instalment.

[alienjesus]

They spent much of the development time on Green Hill Zone and it shows as that's really one of the few bits in the game that rewards you for speeding along. Several interviews with Yuji Naka indicate that they weren't sure gamers would embrace it fully though, which is why the next level is the slow, traditionally platformy and familiar Marble Zone. That sudden grinding to a halt was really jarring though.

I feel like this continues throughout the game actually. Spring Yard has some quick sections, but Labyrinth is super slow. Then Starlight is fairly speedy, but if you try and go to fast on Scrap Brain it's pretty much guaranteed death. It's like they made every other zone a 'fast' zone.